Nursing bottle



L. R. DE BUYS NURSING BOTTLE March l5, 1939 'Filed DSO. lO, 1936 sterilized by boiling them in Water.

Patented ar. 15, E93

tai

g @Hag This invention relates to nursing bottles.

As is well known, it is the common practice to feed babies from various types of glass bottles provided with suitable rubber nipples in accordance with the type oi bottles employed. These appurtenances are commonly more or less It is a matter of scientific fact that perfect sterilization of the conventional glass bottles and rubber nipples cannot be effected, and while infant mortality has dropped quite materially due to improved methods of handling milk and in exercislng care in the handling of nursing bottles, there is still room for substantial improvement, particularly because of the impossibility of perfectly sterilizing nursing bottles.

There are other disadvantages involved in the use of conventional glass bottles and rubber nipples. For example, injury to the hands not infrequently occurs from burning incident to the handling of the articles in the process of sterilization, and where bottle brushes'are employed for cleaning the bottles there is always the danger of the brushes becoming contaminated. In addition, glass bottles are subject to breakage with.

consequent possible injury, particularly from the breaking oi of small pieces from the bottle. The common practice in applying a breast and nipple to a cylindrical bottle is to rst apply' one side of the breast and nipple to one side of the 'bottle and then insert thevflngers beneath the opposite side to stretch it into position. This operation causes contamination of the inside ofthe breast and nipple because of the contact of the ngers therewith.

Several attempts have been made to overcome the above and numerous other disadvantages incident to the use of conventional nursing bottles, but so far as I amv aware, such attempts have not been completely successful. Some of the improvements along this line involve /structures which are relatively expensive, while others fail to provide perfect sterilization.

An important object ofthe present invention is to provide a nursing bottle which is inexpensive, and which provides perfect sterilization and protection against contamination of the milk. A further object is i3d-provide a nursing bottle wherein the actual container of the milk is disposable, and which is rendered unt for re-use, thus requiring a new and sterile container` for each feeding.

A further object is to provide a holder having a container therein formed of paper or any other suitable material which is non-brealsable, yeco-4 nomical to manufacture. and readily disposable. A further object is to provide a nursing bottle of the character referred to whereinthe container may be placed in the holder without touching the upper edge of the container,v thus preventing any gontamination from. coming in contact with the ood.

A further object is to provide a novel type of disposable container which is adapted to be packed singly or nested in groups and sold in sterile packages.

A further object is to provide a nursing bottle having a metallic or similar holder and a con-y tainer formed of paper or any otherV suitable disposable material, and to so form these elements with respect yto each other that the placing of the nipple in position causes a portion of the metallic holder to ream or embed itself into a portion of the container and thus render the latter unfit forA further use. i

A further object is to provide a relatively rigid holder for a container which, in its original form, is provided at its upper end with a depending lip portion, and to form the upper end of the holder in such a manner that it possesses a substantial degree of radial elasticity to facilitate the insertion of the upper end of the holder between the depending lip and the body of the container.

A further object is to so form the container as to facilitate its insertion into the holder by engaging the fingers with the lower end of the container through the open lower end of the 'v holder, thus eliminating the necessity for pressing l following description.

In the drawing I have shown several embodiments of the invention. In this showing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of assembled device,

Figure 2 is a central vertical sectional view through the same showing the nipple omitted and illustrating the container in its original form.

Figure 3 is a side elevation of an assembled nursing bottle of somewhat modified form,

Figure 4 is a central vertical sectional view through the same, showing the nipple omitted and illustrating a modied form of container in its original form,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view showing the upper end of the holder and container with the latter in its original form,

Figure 6 is a similar view showing the nipple applied, y

Figure 7 is a central vertical sectional view of the upper end of an assembled device of a further modified type,

Figure 8 is a perspective view of one form of container adapted for use with the device, and

Figure 9 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to Figure showing a further modified form of container.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral II designates a sleeve or holder which is preferably formed of metal or other relatively rigid material. For example, the holder may be formed of stainless steel or other metal, or it may be formed of a molding composition. The holder or sleeve is preferably cylindrical throughout its length and open at both ends, and the upper end of the sleeve is turned outwardly to form a horizontal flange I2. While the thickness of the material of the sleeve II is somewhat exaggerated, particularly in Figures 5 and 6, attention is invited to the fact that such material, and particularly the portion of the sleeve forming the flange I2, is formed relatively thin so that the upper edge of the flange I2 is relatively sharp, for a purpose to be described. The upper end portion of the sleeve may be longitudinally slit as at I3 to provide a substantial degree of radial resiliency, for a purpose to be referred to later.

A container I4 is adapted to be arranged in the holder II in the manner shown in Figure 2. Such form of container preferably is tapered to decrease in diameter toward its lower end, and

. the container is provided with a bottom I5 spaced from the lower extremity of the container to form a nger engaging flange I6. At its upper end the body of the container I4 extends outwardly in the form of a horizontal flange I1, and then downwardly to form a depending annular flange I 8 which obviously is spaced from the body of the container I4.

A breast and nipple I9 of conventional type is adapted to be placed over the upper end of the holder II and container I4, and it WilLbe apparent that no portion of the holder contacts with any portion of the interior of the breast and nipple with which the food may come into contact. The parts, when assembled, occupy the relative positions shown in detail in Figure 6 of the drawing. The peripheral portion of the breast and nipple extends downwardly over the upper portion of the flange I8 and forces the lower portion of this flange inwardly beneath the flange I2. For a purpose tobe described, the pressure exerted by the peripheral portion 2G of the breast and nipple outwardly of the flange I2 causes this flange to be partially embedded into the portion of the flange I8 with which it contacts. This operation takes place in the form` of the invention described, an in all of the other forms to be referred to later.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4, a holder 2I is employed which may be generally similar to the holder I I and made of any of the same materials. The holder 2|, however, does not employ the longitudinal slits I3, being substantially radially rigid at its upper end. The holder 2| may be provided with diametrically opposite longitudinal slots 22, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, to permit the quantity of fluid consumed to be determined. The upper end of the holder 2| is provided with a flange 23 which is preferably identical with the flange I2 previously described.

A container 24 is adapted to be arranged in the holder 2l. The container 24, as distinguished from the container I4, may be cylindrical as clearly shown in Figure 4. The bottom 25 of the container 24 is also spaced from the lower end of the body of the container to form a finger engaging flange 26. The upper end of the container 24 is formed in the same manner as the upper end of the container I4, being provided with an outstanding annular flange 21 and a depending cylindrical flange 28, spaced from the body of the container and adapted to receive the flange 23 therewithin, as shown in Figure 4. Upon the placing of one of the nipples I9 in position, the flange 28 will be turned inwardly in the manner shown in Figure 6.

While it is preferred to employ a sleeve as a holder for the container, as shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive, such sleeve may be dispensed with and a simple holder of the type shown in Figure 7 may be employed. Such holder comprises a sleeve portion 29, which is relatively short, and such sleeve portion is provided at its upper extremity with an outstanding horizontal flange 3U. This flange is identical with the flanges I2 and 23 of the forms of the invention previously described, and the sleeve or body portion 29 corresponds to the upper end of the holder 2I, shown in Figures 3 and 4. The form of the invention in Figure 7 is shown in conjunction with one of the containers 24. In the forms of the invention previously described, the holder is retained for permanent use while the containers are .used only once and then discarded. In the form shown in Figure 7, the holder is in the form of a small ring of inverted L-shaped cross-section which may form a part of the container, as purchased, and may be discarded therewith.

As previously stated, the holder 2| as shown in Figures 3 and 4, may be provided with the slots 22 through which the height of the liquid in the container may be determined. To facilitate ascertaining the quantity of food placed in the containeror consumed therefrom the container may bevprovided with suitable indicia as shown in Figure 8. One of the containers I4 has been illustrated in Figure 8, but it will become apparent that indicating markings may be applied equally well toa container of the typeshown in Figures 3 and 4. Referring to Figure 8, it will be noted that the outer face of the container may be provided with suitable indicia 3l by means of which the amount of food in the container may be determined, for example, in ounces or cubic centimeters. The inner face of the container likewise may be provided with indicia 32 which may be utilized in the filling of the container prior to the placing of the nipple in position.

It will be apparent that in the forms of the device previously described, each container is provided with a depending lip which is cylindrical and depends below the lip at the upper end of the holder. In Figure 9, a slightly modified form of container is illustrated. The container is indicated as a whole by the numeral 32, and may be either tapered similar to the container I4, or cylindrical similar to the container 24. The container in Figure 9 is illustrated as being arranged in one of the holders II wherein the slits I3 are provided in the upper end of the holder to permit contraction thereof. f

As clearly shown in Figure 9, the upper end of the container 32 is smaller in diameter than the corresponding portion of the holder, an annular space 33 thus being'provided to permit the containcr for each of a. days feedings.

ananas traction of the upper end of the holder for a purpose to be described. 'At its upper end the container extends outwardly in a horizontal flange portion 3i and then downwardly in a short cylindrical portion t5 which surrounds the outer edge of the iiange i2. Below the cylindrical portion 35, the material of the container extends horizontally inwardiy as at 36, the edge of the material engaging the surface of the container when the upper end of the latter is in its normal shape. The width of the annular space 33 is at least equal to the width of the flange i2 to permit the outer edge of the latter to clear the inner edge of the flange 36 when the upper end of the holder is contracted.

The operation of the form of the invention shown in Figures i and 2 is as follows:

Because of the tapered construction of the containers it, these containers may be nested whereby they may be sold in groups in a sterile carton or container of any desired type. For example, six of the containers iii may be nested in a carton or the like to provide a fresh con- While the tapering of the containers facilitates the nesting thereof, it will be obvious that they need not be nested but may be sold individually packed.

The containers Id are sold or dispensed in a perfectly sterile condition and may be handled without the fingers coming into contact with the interior of the container or the exposed surfaces of the flange II or I8. The holder II, however, need not be sterile, since it obviously does not come into contact with any of the surfaces of the container just referred to. If the containers are sold in nested groups, it is preferred that the proportions of the containers be such that the flange portions of successive containers will be spaced apart a sufficient distance to permit the outside of th body' of each container to be grasped in the fingers without contacting the upper face o'f the fiange I 'I of .the next lower container. For example, the bottom I5 maybe spaced a sufficient distance from the lower `extremity ofthe container to support the lower extremity of the next upper container to substantially space the-flange portions of the containers for the purpose stated.

One of the containers, with the body vportion thereof grasped between the fingers, may be dropped into the upper end of the holder II. It

is unnecessary for the person handling the dethe lower end of the flange I6 and pull the container downwardly into the holder. The slits I3 vprovide the upper end of the holder with a substantial degree of radial resiliency. Accordingly while the thumb and forenger of one hand is filled, the breast and nipple is ready to be applied. In connection with the previous filling of the container, it will be noted that several containers may be kept in arefrigerator with an individual feeding in each container and with the upper end of the container closed by a suitable cap, such as the caps now commonly employed as closures for commercial milk bottles, with depending skirts overhanging the upper extremities of the bottles. Such caps, in perfectly sterile condition, may be sold in packages with the containers or in sterile packages' wholly separate therefrom.

It is preferred that the containers i ii be made of waterproof land heat-proof material. Such material permits the previous lling of the containers and the storage 'of the filled containers in a refrigerator. Upon the placing of the container in the holder, therefore, the bottom of the latter is adapted to support the device in an upright position to be heated to the proper temperature in a container of water. The inside indicia t2 facilitates the filling of each container since the indicia may be viewed through the top of vthe container while the latter is being filled.

Assuming that the container is in position in the holder and filled with food in the proper amount, the breast and nipple I9 may be placed in position ready for the feeding. The downward pressure exerted in placing the breast and nipple in position and the inward radial force exerted due to the elastic nature of the nipple causes the outer relatively sharp edge of the flange I2to cut into or embed itself in the portion of the container flange I8 against which it contacts. The lower annular portion of the breast and nipple contracts beneath the iiange I2 and forces the lower portion of the flange inwardly to the position shownin Figure 6. After the parts have been thus assembled, the device is ready for use.

Upon the completion of the feeding,.the breast and nipple may be removed,-and its removal tends further to cause the edge of the fiange I2 to embed itself into the flange I8. The turned in portion of the flange may be pulled outwardly to facilitate the removal of the container from the holder, and it.will be apparent that the cutting or embedding of the `flange I2 into the fiange I8 substantially destroys the container and prevents re.- use thereof. Thus it is necessary touse a new and sterile container for each feeding.

In the form of the invention shown in Figures 3 and 4 a cylindrical container 24 has been illustrated. although it will be apparent that one of the tapered containers I4 may be employed. The cylindrical container 24 is preferably slightly smaller in diameter than the holder 2i to facilitate the insertion of the container in the holder. While the flange 26 is of such diameter as to prevent the grasping thereof between two fingers, as in the form of the invention previouslydescribed, it has been found that the fingers may be frictionally engaged with-the inner face of the fiange 26`to permit the container to be pulled downwardly tov the proper position as shown in Figure 4.

The operation of the device with respect to the fianges 23 and 28 is the same as in the form of the invention previously described, and need not be repeated.

'I'he slots 22 facilitate determining the height of the liquid in the container. For convenience, two ofthe slots 22 are preferably provided at diametrically opposite points as shown in Figure 4. The containers may be made of paper or any other suitable material, and transparent or semitransparent material is preferably employed ln order to permit the height of the level of the liquid in the container to be more readily determined. The placing of the slots 22 at points spaced a substantial distance apart permits light to pass across the container between the slots, thus permitting the height of the liquid in the container to be very readily determined.

It will be noted that the holders previously described greatly facilitate the handling of the container. For example, as previously stated, these holders facilitate the heating of the food in the containers, and facilitate the supporting of the containers in upright position on any flat surface. However, the use of the holders of the device shown in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive is not essential, The principal feature of the holder lying in the provision of the rigid flange I2 for the purpose described. Therefore, instead of a long cylindrical holder, only a relatively short ring need be provided, as shown in Figure 7. The relatively short sleeve 29 and its flange 30 provide the necessary rigid support for the flange 21 of the container, and the outer edge of the flange 30 performs the same function as the flanges I2 and 23 of the forms of the device previously described.

It will be noted that the holders II and 2| are not in any sense containers, but merely hold and support either of the types of containers described. For simplicity and economy in manufacture, the holders I I and 2l are preferably cylindrical so as to provide substantial stability for supporting the container in an upright position. However, if desired, the lower ends of the holders may be provided with any suitable means for assisting in holding them in vertical position, although such means has been found to be wholly unnecessary. The holders II and 2| are intended for permanent use as previously stated, while the containers are intended to be sold in sterile packages. The containers I4 are adapted to be nested to be sold in groups, although it will be apparent that nesting is not possible with the cylindrical container 24 shown in Figure 4. When the holder of the type shown in Figure 7 is employed, the simplicity and cheapness of manufacture of the holder permits its embodiment with each of the containers. In such case, the holder and container both will be discarded after use, or the holder may be made separate from the container and retained for permanent use.

In using the form of the invention shown ln Figure 9, the upper end of the holder will be contracted, when the container is dropped into the holder, to move the inner surfaces of the upper end of the holder into contact with the outer surface of the body of the container. Under such conditions, the outer edge of the flange I2 will clear the inner edge of the flange 36, whereupon the container will drop into position "with the flange 34 supported on the flange I2. 'Ihe upper end of the holder then may be released to expand to its normal position; in which case the flange I2 will move outwardly into engagement with the inner surface of the flange 36, as shown in Figure 9.

After the parts have been assembled as indicated, the breast and nipple will be placed in position over the flanges 34, 35 and 36 as in the forms of the invention previously described, the outer edge of the flange I2k becoming embedded in the flange '36 to thus destroy or substantially damage the container upon the removal of the breast and nipple to prevent the further use of,

the container. The removal of the container may take place without contracting the upper end of the holder, in which case the flange I2 likewise substantially damages the flange 36 of the container.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that the device is inexpensive and that it embodies numerous advantages over other structures. For example, its use is less expensive than the use of glass bottles; it savesthe time and fueemployed iu sterlizing glass bottles; it saves the hands from possible injury due to broken glass and to burning incident to the sterilization of glass bottles, etc. Most important, however, is the great advantage of perfect sterility of the device, the containers being perfectly sterilized before being packaged whereas perfect sterilization of glass bottles is impossible under ordinary conditions.

As previously stated, the food containers may be made of paper or any other desirable relatively cheap disposable material. It will be understood that the material employed in the making of the containers, and at least with respect to the portions of the several types of containers which are engaged by the flanges at the upper ends of the holders, is relatively soft so as to permit the outer edgeof the flange I2, 23 or 30 to readily embed itself to a substantial extent in the overhanging flange of the container. Accordingly the removal of the containers, particularly in view of the crimping of the overhanging flanges of the containers beneath the flange of the holder, so damages the container as to render it unfit for further use thus requiring the use of a new container for each feeding. Of course, in the form of the invention shown in Figure 9, the flange 36 will be preformed for arrangement beneath the ange I2, and accordingly will not be crimped in the assembly of the parts, but the flange 36 will be substantially damaged upon the removal of the container, in the manner previously described.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to Without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

I claim:

l. A nursing bottle comprising a holder having an outstanding substantially flat flange at its upper end and having longitudinal slits in its upper end to provide the latter with a 'substantial degree of radial resiliency, and a sterile disposable container receivable in said holder, said container having its upper end turned outwardly to form an outstanding flange portion adapted to seat on the flange of said holder, then downwardly to form a depending annular skirt portion surrounding the flange of said holder and then inwardly to form a horizontal flange portion spaced from said outstanding flange portion to receive the flange of said holder therebetween and spaced from' the body of the container a distance at least equal to the'width of the flange of said holder.

2. A nursing device comprising a relatively rigid holder having an outstanding substantially flat horizontal flange at its upper end formed thin at least at itsedge, and a sterile disposable container receivable in said holder, said container having its upper end turned outwardly to form an loutstanding flange portion adapted to seat on the flange of said holder, and then downwardly to form a depending annular flange lying adjacent and outwardly of the edge of the flange of said holder and depending therebelow, said depending flange being lreceivable in an elastic nipple, the material of said depending flange being suiliciently soft whereby the edge of the flange of said holder will cut into the depending flange of said container suillciently to prevent removal of the nipple without destroying the flange of said container to render said container unfit for reuse.

3. A nursing device comprising a relatively rigid holder having an outstanding substantially ilat horizontal flange at its upper end formed thin at least at its edge, a sterile disposable container receivable in said holder, said container having its upper end turned outwardly to form an outstanding ange portion adapted to seat on the flange of said holder, and then downwardly to form a depending annular flange lying adjacent and outwardly of the edge of the flange of said holder and depending therebelow, and an elastic nipple adapted to be stretched over said depending flange and to be supported by the flange of said holder, the material of the said depending ilangebeing sufliciently vsoft whereby radially inward pressure of said nipple will cause the edge -of the flange of saidrholder to cut into the annular flange of said container sufficiently to prevent removal of the nipple without destroying the flange of said container to render said container unfit for re-use. y f

4. A nursing device comprising a relatively rigid holder having an outstanding substantially flat horizontal flange at its upper end formed thin at least at its edge, a sterile disposable container receivable in said holder, said container having its upper end turned outwardly to form an outstanding fiange portion adapted to seat on the flange of said holder, and then downwardly to form a depending annular flange lying adjacent and outwardly of the edge of the flange of said holder and depending therebelow, the periphery of the flange of said holder normally corresponding in shape and size to the interior of the depending ilange oi.' said container, said holder having longitudinal slits in the upper end thereof to provide the upper end of said holder with a substantial degree of radial resiliency to permit it to be radially contracted for insertion within saidannular flange, and an elastic nipple adapted to be stretched over said depending flange and to be supported by the flange of said holder, the material of said depending flange being SufB- ciently soft whereby radially inward pressure of said nipple will cause the edge of the flange oi.'

said holder to cut into the annular flange of said container sumciently to prevent removal of the nipple without destroying the flange of said container to render said container unfit for re-use.

5. A nursing device comprising a relatively rigid cylindrical holder having anoutstanding substantially flat horizontal flange at its upper end formed thin at least at its edge, and a sterile disposable container shorter than said holder and receivable in the upper end thereof, said container having its upper edge turned outwardly to form a horizontal flange adapted to seat on the flange of said container and then downwardly to form a depending annular flange surrounding and depending below the adjacent edge of said outstanding flange, said depending flange being receivable in an elastic nipple, the material of said depending flange being sufficiently soft whereby the edge of said outstanding flange will cut into the depending flange of said container sufficiently to prevent removal of the nipple without destroying the'flange of said container to render said container unt for reuse.

6. A nursing device comprising a relatively rigid cylindrical holder having an outstanding substantially flat horizontal flange at its upper end formed thin at least at its edge, a sterile disposable container shorter than -said holder and receivable in the upper end thereof, saidcontainer having its upper edge turned outwardly to form a horizontal flange adapted to seat on the flange of said container and then downwardly to form a depending annular flange surrounding and dependingv below the adjacent edge of said outstanding flange, and an elastic nipple adapted to be stretched oversaid depending flange and to be supported by the flange of said holder, the material of said depending liange being sumciently soft whereby radially inward pressure of said nipple will cause the edge of the flange of said holder to cut into the depending flange of said container sufllciently to prevent removal of the nipple without destroying theilange of said container to render said container unfit for re-use.

7. A nursing device comprising a relatively rigid holder of L-shaped cross-section including a depending substantially cylindrical ilange and an outstanding horizontal flange formed thin at least at its edge, and a sterile disposable container arranged in said holder, said container having its upper end turned outwardly to form a horizontal flange seated on the flange of said holder, and then turned downwardly. to form a depending annular flange surrounding and depending below the edge of said outstanding flange, said depending ange being receivable in an elastic nipple, the material of said depending flange being sufllciently soft whereby the edge of said outstanding flange will cut into the depending flange of said'container sufficiently to prevent removal of the nipple without destroying the ilange of said container to render said container unfit for re-use. I

8. A nursing device comprising a relatively rigid holder of L-shaped cross-section including a depending substantially cylindrical flange and an outstanding horizontal ange formed thin at least at its edge, and a sterile disposable container arranged in said holder, said container having its upper end turned outwardly to form a horizontal l:ilange seated on the flange of said holder, and then turned downwardly to form a depending annular flange surrounding and depending below the edge of said outstanding flange, and an elastic nipple adapted to be stretched over said depending ilange and to be supported by the outstanding flange of said holder, the material .of said depending flange being relatively soft whereby radially inward pressure of said nipple will cause the-edge of said outstanding flange to cut into the annular flange of said container sufliciently to prevent removal of the nipple without destroying the flange of said container to render said container unt for re-use.

LAURENCE R. DE BUYS 

